diff --git a/src/timmy/memory_system.py b/src/timmy/memory_system.py
index fe01d5ef..76ddd5c3 100644
--- a/src/timmy/memory_system.py
+++ b/src/timmy/memory_system.py
@@ -46,6 +46,64 @@ DB_PATH = PROJECT_ROOT / "data" / "memory.db"
 # ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 
+_DEFAULT_HOT_MEMORY_TEMPLATE = """\
+# Timmy Hot Memory
+
+> Working RAM — always loaded, ~300 lines max, pruned monthly
+> Last updated: {date}
+
+---
+
+## Current Status
+
+**Agent State:** Operational
+**Mode:** Development
+**Active Tasks:** 0
+**Pending Decisions:** None
+
+---
+
+## Standing Rules
+
+1. **Sovereignty First** — No cloud dependencies
+2. **Local-Only Inference** — Ollama on localhost
+3. **Privacy by Design** — Telemetry disabled
+4. **Tool Minimalism** — Use tools only when necessary
+5. **Memory Discipline** — Write handoffs at session end
+
+---
+
+## Agent Roster
+
+| Agent | Role | Status |
+|-------|------|--------|
+| Timmy | Core | Active |
+
+---
+
+## User Profile
+
+**Name:** (not set)
+**Interests:** (to be learned)
+
+---
+
+## Key Decisions
+
+(none yet)
+
+---
+
+## Pending Actions
+
+- [ ] Learn user's name
+
+---
+
+*Prune date: {prune_date}*
+"""
+
+
 @contextmanager
 def get_connection() -> Generator[sqlite3.Connection, None, None]:
     """Get database connection to unified memory database."""
@@ -732,66 +790,12 @@ class HotMemory:
         logger.debug(
             "HotMemory._create_default() - creating default MEMORY.md for backward compatibility"
         )
-        default_content = """# Timmy Hot Memory
-
-> Working RAM — always loaded, ~300 lines max, pruned monthly
-> Last updated: {date}
-
----
-
-## Current Status
-
-**Agent State:** Operational
-**Mode:** Development
-**Active Tasks:** 0
-**Pending Decisions:** None
-
----
-
-## Standing Rules
-
-1. **Sovereignty First** — No cloud dependencies
-2. **Local-Only Inference** — Ollama on localhost
-3. **Privacy by Design** — Telemetry disabled
-4. **Tool Minimalism** — Use tools only when necessary
-5. **Memory Discipline** — Write handoffs at session end
-
----
-
-## Agent Roster
-
-| Agent | Role | Status |
-|-------|------|--------|
-| Timmy | Core | Active |
-
----
-
-## User Profile
-
-**Name:** (not set)
-**Interests:** (to be learned)
-
----
-
-## Key Decisions
-
-(none yet)
-
----
-
-## Pending Actions
-
-- [ ] Learn user's name
-
----
-
-*Prune date: {prune_date}*
-""".format(
-            date=datetime.now(UTC).strftime("%Y-%m-%d"),
-            prune_date=(datetime.now(UTC).replace(day=25)).strftime("%Y-%m-%d"),
+        now = datetime.now(UTC)
+        content = _DEFAULT_HOT_MEMORY_TEMPLATE.format(
+            date=now.strftime("%Y-%m-%d"),
+            prune_date=now.replace(day=25).strftime("%Y-%m-%d"),
         )
-
-        self.path.write_text(default_content)
+        self.path.write_text(content)
         logger.info("HotMemory: Created default MEMORY.md")